In this year’s reader survey, you might remember I had a lot of questions about your thoughts on knitting and crochet video tutorials. An overwhelming number of you (77%) said you’d love to see them, so I’m happy to say I’ve got TWO videos to launch the renewed Hands Occupied YouTube channel. The videos show you how to make a long tail tubular cast on for a knitting project. The first video in this post shows how to do it right handed, and the second video shows the leftie version.

Ain’t he a beaut? Meet the Remy Pullover, my latest pattern and the sweater we’ll be knitting in this fall’s knit along. Last spring I did a little experiment with a sock knit along, and the response was awesome, so this fall, I figured it was time to do it again. And really embrace sweater weather while we’re at it. This fall’s knit along features this lovely cabled pullover with raglan sleeves (a pattern I’m calling the Remy Pullover) as our project!

The story of one of the most critical moments of loss in my life, how you can help raise awareness for this all-too-common issue, and a free knitting pattern to help you contribute to helping the cause.

When my blog buddy Marissa from Rae Gun Ramblings emailed her bookish crafty friends asking if we’d be interested in sharing a Harry Potter-themed project in July (in honor of Mr. Potter’s July 31 birthday & Daniel Radcliffe July 23), I was totally on board. Renewing my personal fandom for one of my favorite middle school book series is always something I’m down for. I immediately knew this was the perfect excuse to try my hand at the most famous knitting in all of the Harry Potter universe, the Weasley Christmas sweater.

What says summer knitting better than a quickie little sunglass case pattern? Grab a nice little ball of yarn leftover from one of your winter cowls, a couple of needles, and you’ve got yourself the perfect single-sitting beach knitting pattern. Or if it’s a rainy day, pop in a movie and you can make this start to finish in an hour or two. AND you can immediately use the finished case since it’s still summer. Like I said – summer knitting perfection. ;)

This super simple spring-inspired baby hat is a great way to eat up the leftover sock yarn. I was inspired to make this, of course, during the Knit Along as I played around with some test patterns and love its little sprouty top. This hat is super perfect for newborns coming home from the hospital.

I hope my onion model makes you smile, by the way! You’ll have to excuse it subbing in for a real baby, since I don’t have one of those lying around to exploit for photos, lol. I think onion baby is so cute, and the only crying I have to worry about is if I cook with it. ;)

It’s been real, folks, but the first Hands Occupied knit along has come to a close. :( I had so much fun sharpening my knitting needles skills, making some new friends and finishing a couple pairs of socks during this process. Pictured today is my new Shorty Socks knitting pattern, made using the exact techniques shared in each step of the Knit Along.

We’re in the home stretch, knitters!! Today I’m going to show you all how to do a toe decrease, which, surpriii-iiise!, is way easier that the parts of sock knitting you’ve already mastered. Aren’t you excited?